ONTARIO’S Liberal government has promised many things over seven years but among many promises broken, the one to reduce auto insurance rates by 10 per cent stands at particular odds with reality this week as new insurance rules kick in. If anyone’s auto insurance premiums did go down by 10 per cent, they didn’t stay that way for long. And this week, everyone’s auto insurance went up, while their coverage has been reduced.
GRASSROOTS politics is easy to defend in principle — until you have to defend it in practice. That’s the dilemma facing Canada’s New Democrats as a vote on the fate of the contentious national long gun registry approaches.
ECONOMICS can be confusing. Those who practise it have a language all their own and trying to decipher the state of the business that governs our quality of life sometimes exceeds all understanding, and patience.
But occasionally, a ray of light illuminates things. A sale that offers items at 50 per cent off — not “up to” 50 per cent — is clearly understood as a bargain. Zero per cent financing on a new car is all the reason some people need to choose that make and model. A price war among gas stations brings lineups.
TRY as they may, responsible hunters, fishers and their associations can’t shake the suspicion that they’re not really interested in conservation at all; they’re only in it for the fun and the food. Rules are there to be ignored or simply broken because, after all, it’s a big forest and the officers who patrol it are few and far between, thanks to government cutbacks.
But that’s not the case at all. Most of those who fish and hunt in Northwestern Ontario take the rules seriously and strive to be good stewards of the woods and waters they use for sport and enjoyment.
THE NEXT TIME you’re waiting in your car for a train to pass at a crossing, or driving beside one lumbering along Water Street in Thunder Bay, be aware that a derailment is a possibility because of a faulty hitch part. Not only that, the car that could potentially separate from the train would be a tank car carrying any of a number of volatile liquids.
THUMBS Up to “Ryan from Animal Services for bringing our big guy back home to us and even going so far as to give us a followup phone call a few days later. Great job; your professionalism and kindness did not go unnoticed.”
CONSTITUTIONAL rights ensure freedom for citizens and American citizens take their rights very seriously. Unfortunately, rights do not bestow responsibility and the gulf between the two is growing wider south of the border.
While Canada debates the merits of a firearms registry, Americans in many states are allowed to carry a pistol on their hip at all times. Gun deaths are rampant but that won’t stop gun advocates from citing the constitutional right to bear arms even though it was written for different reasons in much earlier times.
AMONG recurring subjects in letters to the editor are those involving prolonged issues (waterfront development and wind energy, locally), politicians at all levels (particularly as elections approach) and people who abuse rules. These regularly include dog owners who don’t bag their pets’ poop and drivers who go slow in the fast lane, refuse to learn how to use turn and merge lanes and, most especially, abuse handicap parking.
THE EVOLUTION of Thunder Bay’s south core continues to be marked by controversy. From the debacle of a mall built over the main drag to this week’s plan to hike parking rates to pay for new parking spaces to replace old parking spaces, the south side downtown has had more than its share of troubles.
WHEN downloading was a dirty word, political authorities at both ends of the system knew that eventually things would have to change. They did, and now they’ve changed again.
ADMIT when you’re wrong, do what’s right and move on. It’s good advice that anyone can use but which is steadfastly ignored by a Canadian government running on a dangerous mix of ideology and pig-headedness.
IF YOU’RE TIRED of long-winded city councillors keeping you up past your bedtime, you’ll want to thank Thunder Bay Coun. Robert Tuchenhagen who seeks tonight to cancel TV broadcasts of council meetings in September and October of this election year.
Tuchenhagen’s motive likely is tied, at least partially, to that of two earlier resolutions of his, to end council meetings at 11:30 p.m., and to limit councillors to three questions at a time.
HARMONIZED sales taxes in three provinces raised Canada’s inflation rate last month but economists said it could have been worse. Given the breakdowns, it is difficult to see how.
Inflation rose nationally by eight-tenths of a point in July to 1.8 per cent. That doesn’t sound like much until one measures larger individual increases, primarily in energy, transportation, housing and food, that led to a bump in the overall national rate. And it masks the size of provincial and local inflation rates that have shot up as the HST does its dirty work on prices.
THUMBS Up to Kerry and her “crew” of volunteers who organized the HMS Bounty visit. “Despite the hot weather and long lines, things ran smoothy, lines moved quickly, and everyone was happy and excited in anticipation of viewing such a remarkable ship with such an impressive history. Organizers could be seen moving down the line carrying water containers, making sure everyone was hydrated and happy. Kerry seemed to be everywhere, making sure every little detail was taken care of!
TWO letter writers today discuss issues relating to discrimination against young people. Legislation designed to protect youth against themselves, and to protect society in the process, while well intended, are often found to be ineffective and even illegal.
One writer is critical of a new provincial law that prohibits anyone in Ontario 21 and under from driving with even a trace of alcohol in their blood. It was part of a larger bill designed to address public concern over a growing incidence of youth driving fatalities.
